Daimyo /Chapter 54 Teaching Xinyue (Patreon)

“Just you wait, this isn't over. Tsukigakure (Village Hidden in the Moon) can expect Kumogakure's retaliation.”

The two Kumogakure ninja, sporting black eyes, leaned on each other, inching towards the door.

Gripping the doorframe, they pointed at Shimotsuki Kōmei, making threats. Unfortunately, with two front teeth missing, their words came out as a series of whistles.

Shimotsuki Kōmei shivered on the spot, and the two Kumogakure ninja trembled all over, scrambling out of the wooden house. They disappeared in a flash, moving like a three-legged race.

“We’ll be back… back.”

“Damn it, I went too easy on them. Next time, I can’t be so soft-hearted.”

Shimotsuki Kōmei patted the dust off his clothes, straightened his disheveled attire, and walked out of the wooden house.

Looking around, he found it somewhat strange; all the soldiers around the wooden house had vanished, and Hozuki Shingetsu was also nowhere to be found.

Shimotsuki Kōmei jumped onto the roof, shading his eyes with his hand as he looked around. He saw figures moving in the forest not far away.

He made a few leaps to catch up.

“Ah, you bastard, let go of me!”

“Ah, Grandpa, I know I was wrong, stop hitting me!”

“Ah ah ah, help!”

Shimotsuki Kōmei stopped on the nearest large tree to the crowd, looking down.

He saw soldiers surrounding Hozuki Shingetsu, tightly gripping their spears, hesitating to advance.

Hozuki Shingetsu held a whip, continuously lashing Shabada Baba, while also threatening the soldiers.

Shabada Baba was hung from a tree, his body and face covered in whip marks, continuously screaming in agony.

Shimotsuki Kōmei leaped lightly, landing silently beside Hōzuki Yuzuki.

“Lord Shimotsuki, how do you think I did? Are you satisfied?”

Hozuki Shingetsu asked Shimotsuki Kōmei, as if seeking praise, while not forgetting to give Shabada Baba another lash.

“So-so!” Shimotsuki Kōmei nodded.

“Then I’ll continue.”

Shabada Baba’s face instantly turned pale, and he shouted loudly at Shimotsuki Kōmei.

“Father, Grandpa, Ancestor, I was wrong! Please don’t let him torture me anymore!”

Shimotsuki Kōmei couldn’t be bothered with Shabada Baba; he had many important matters to attend to.

“Haven’t you had enough fun? He’s still useful. Take him down and bring him along.”

Hozuki Shingetsu put away his whip, and a shuriken cut the rope.

“Ow!” Shabada Baba fell to the ground, screaming again in pain. He then rolled a few times and ran back into the pile of soldiers.

Shimotsuki Kōmei watched Shabada Baba run off, lightly tapped his feet, and sat on a tree branch, crossing his arms, showing no intention of intervening.

“You started this, you fix it. You wouldn’t want your father to know you messed things up, would you?”

Hozuki Shingetsu glared at Shabada Baba, “You just wait!”

“You brat, you’re finished! When you fall into my hands, I’ll make your life worse than death!”

Temporarily saved, Shabada Baba became bold again, hiding behind the soldiers and shouting wildly.

“Go, all of you, go! Capture them! A hundred thousand Ryo reward!”

Upon receiving the order, the soldiers, fully clad in armor and holding shields, surrounded Hozuki Shingetsu.

Hozuki Shingetsu immediately used his Family Ninjutsu, Water Gun Technique: Rapid Fire.

His hands instantly transformed into Gatling guns, water bullets flying everywhere as he sprayed the soldiers.

A flurry of actions, fierce as a tiger, but in others’ eyes, utterly foolish.

Hozuki Shingetsu’s Chunin-level water bullets did virtually no damage to the heavily armored soldiers.

Forced to change tactics, he used his Family Ninjutsu, Great Water Arm Technique. His arm became thick and strong, and he grabbed a kunai, stabbing wildly at the soldiers.

As the battle continued, Hozuki Shingetsu became breathless with exhaustion. Most of the soldiers Shabada Baba brought had lost their fighting capability.

Shabada Baba, who had been hiding behind the soldiers and giving orders, quietly retreated as he watched the fallen soldiers.

Shimotsuki Kōmei had been observing the battlefield and noticed Shabada Baba retreating.

He casually waved his hand, and a gust of wind bound Shabada Baba in place.

Finally, Hozuki Shingetsu emerged victorious, collapsing to the ground.

“What did you learn from this experience?”

Shimotsuki Kōmei appeared beside Hozuki Shingetsu at some point and asked him.

“When doing things, always remain vigilant.”

Shimotsuki Kōmei nodded, “And what else?”

Hozuki Shingetsu lowered his head, fiddling with the weeds beside him. After a few minutes, he shook his head.

“Ninjutsu is a tool. You must use tools, not rely on them. Physical strength and taijutsu are equally important.”

Saying this, Shimotsuki Kōmei formed a fist with his right hand, gathered Chakra into his right arm, and punched an open space not far away.

“Boom.”

A large pit appeared on the ground not far away. It wouldn't be long before a new small lake would form in this jungle.

Seeing this scene, everyone’s throats went dry. They swallowed, looking at Shimotsuki Kōmei with horror. Shabada Baba trembled like a sieve.

“Let’s go, it’s time to head back.”

Shimotsuki Kōmei knocked Shabada Baba unconscious with a chop to the neck, then looked back at the soldiers not far away.

The soldiers were very sensible; some hit their heads against trees, others slammed their helmets into their heads, all knocking themselves unconscious.

Shimotsuki Kōmei nodded with satisfaction and left using wind manipulation.

Tsukigakure (Village Hidden in the Moon).

At Hōzuki Yuzuki's house, Shimotsuki Kōmei was preparing to meet Getsu Izuru, the King of the Land of the Moon.

With Kumogakure attacking the Land of the Moon, the King could not remain uninvolved; he had to contribute as well.

“Village Chief Yuzuki, from now on, I am the Elder of Tsukigakure (Village Hidden in the Moon). Remember not to let it slip.”

“Understood, Lord Shimotsuki. When do we depart?”

“Now, let’s go.”

When they reappeared, the four had already reached outside the capital city of the Land of the Moon.

“Let’s go, into the city. We’ll go directly to the palace. Shingetsu, you take Shabada Baba and find an inn to wait for our news.”

Shimotsuki Kōmei and Hōzuki Yuzuki arrived at the palace gates and were stopped and surrounded by soldiers.

“Stop! This is a royal palace, no unauthorized personnel are allowed near.”

Shimotsuki Kōmei gave Hōzuki Yuzuki a signal.

Hōzuki Yuzuki understood, stepped forward, and said to the soldiers.

“I am the Village Chief of Tsukigakure (Village Hidden in the Moon). I have urgent matters to discuss with your King. Go and inform him quickly.”

A soldier rushed into the palace.

Ten minutes later, the soldier returned, followed by King Getsu Izuru.

“Hahahaha, esteemed guest! Village Chief Hozuki, why didn’t you inform me in advance of your visit? I would have sent someone to greet you. Come in quickly with me.”

Getsu Izuru took Hōzuki Yuzuki’s hand, leading Shimotsuki Kōmei and the others into the palace.

In the reception room, everyone took their seats in order.

“Someone, bring tea quickly!” Getsu Izuru shouted to the servants outside, then turned his head to Hōzuki Yuzuki, “May I ask what brings Village Chief Hozuki to me?”

“This is the Elder of Tsukigakure (Village Hidden in the Moon). He knows the details better, so he will explain to you.”

Hōzuki Yuzuki introduced Shimotsuki Kōmei to Getsu Izuru.

Shimotsuki Kōmei saw Getsu Izuru turn his head towards him and spoke unhurriedly.

“Kumogakure intends to attack the Land of the Moon.”

“Kumogakure? Why?”

Getsu Izuru didn’t understand. Why would a small Land of the Moon be of interest to Kumogakure?

“Kumogakure plans to launch a surprise attack on the Land of Water. They want to turn Tsukigakure (Village Hidden in the Moon) into a bridgehead, and the Land of the Moon will become a battlefield.”

“No, absolutely not! The Land of the Moon absolutely cannot be drawn into a war between two great nations!”

Getsu Izuru said decisively.

Shimotsuki Kōmei nodded.

“Good. I hope King Getsu Izuru will dispatch troops to assist Tsukigakure (Village Hidden in the Moon). We will jointly resist Kumogakure.”

Getsu Izuru immediately agreed, handing a military command token to Shimotsuki Kōmei. “No problem. You may command all the nation’s soldiers.